Texas ballots take shape as candidate filing ends

Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Adkisson takes an oath as he becomes a candidate for Bexar County judge, with wife Karen at his side.

Photo By Cynthia Esparza / For the San Antonio Express-News

Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Manuel Medina signs paperwork with 5-month-old daughter Sara Sophia at the party headquarters during candidates' last hour to file for places on the March 4 ballot.

Photo By FOR THE SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Blas Delgado (right), a candidate for probate court No. 1 and Michael T. La Hood, judge for County Court at Law No. 15, look at the list of democrats that have filed for places Dec. 9, 2013 on the March 4 ballot as they wait around for the 6 p.m. deadline at the Bexar County Democratic Party headquarters. There were 70 names on the list with a few more people that came in after it was printed.

Photo By FOR THE SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Manuel Medina signs paperwork with his 5 month-old Sara Sophia while surrounded by the rest of his family and supporters as he files for democratic party chairman Dec. 9, 2013 during the last hour to file for places on the March 4 ballot at the Bexar County Democratic Party headquarters.

Photo By FOR THE SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Manuel Medina files for democratic party chairman Dec. 9, 2013 with 5 month-old Sara Sophia, his wife Janeth, and other daughter, Michelle Marie, 5, as supporters cheer him on at the Bexar County Democratic Party headquarters. By the 6 p.m. deadline, no one had signed up to run against him.

Photo By FOR THE SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Tommy Calvert filed for county commissioner precinct 4 Dec. 9, 2013 at the Bexar County Democratic Party headquarters.

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AUSTIN — Democrats celebrated their first statewide officeholder since the late 1990s Monday, when the candidate filing deadline saw Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Lawrence Meyers switch from the GOP to run for the Texas Supreme Court under the blue banner.

Democrats hope it's a sign of things to come as they and Republicans gird for battle next year, after finalizing the candidates who will compete for their party nods in the March 4 primaries.

Soules will become the second elected city official to leave his post this fall to pursue higher office.

Statewide, change is a certainty with a slate of hotly contested seats, due in large part to GOP Gov. Rick Perry's decision not to seek re-election. His move set GOP officeholders scrambling for higher office, with Attorney General Greg Abbott the favored Republican to succeed Perry.

“You are going to see a seismic shift in the offices,” said Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri.

Democrats, meanwhile, are banking on energizing their party with a ticket that is expected to be carried forward by Sens. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth, who gained national prominence with her filibuster against tighter abortion restrictions, and Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio.

They pointed to the conversion of Meyers, saying his switch from the GOP makes him the first Democratic statewide officeholder since 1998. Democrats last won a statewide election in 1994.

Meyers filed to run as a Democrat for the Place 6 seat held by Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown, a Republican. Will Hailer, the Democratic Party's executive director, said Meyers will keep his current post while he runs.

“I am thrilled to welcome Judge Meyers to the Texas Democratic Party. Every day, I hear from real voters that our party represents the strongest path forward for our state,” said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa in a statement.

Munisteri said Meyers is the third Republican to become a Democrat since 2008. He said 212 Democrats have become Republicans since then.

“I'll take 212 to three any day of the week,” he said.

Among Democratic candidates is 13th Court of Appeals Judge Gina Benavides, who is running for the Place 7 Supreme Court seat held by Justice Jeff Boyd, Perry's former chief of staff and former general counsel who was appointed by Perry to fill a vacancy in 2012.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht drew a primary challenge from former Republican lawmaker Robert Talton, and Judge Bill Moody of El Paso filed for the chief justice's post on the Democratic side.

The race for Bexar County judge figures to be competitive for the first time in many years. Wolff has held the county's top office since 2001.

“There's nothing wrong with being tested,” Wolff said. “In politics, friends come and go, enemies accumulate. So it's kind of sad to see a friend (Adkisson) challenge me in the race.”

Adkisson said his campaign will focus on “fundamentals — neighborhoods and families ... It's time to turn the page to change the course of county government.”

Soules said he's running “because it's time to end the era of big legacy projects and return the government back to the people of Bexar County.” He cited the streetcar project backed by Wolff as an example.

Though seeking another office triggers an automatic resignation, Soules may serve as a councilman until his replacement is appointed by the City Council.